Early morning sun rising up over Eden Project Biomes

HotHouse: Nature of Leadership programme

The Nature of Leadership is the HotHouse flagship open programme designed for emerging leaders who want to be a force for good in their businesses, organisations, and communities. The programme will take you on a four-day journey into the natural world to access the heart of your passions, talents and dreams.

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Taking inspiration from Eden founder Tim Smit, and other experts in the field of leadership, this programme takes you on an immersive learning journey through which you will gain clarity over purpose, explore uncertainty and complexity, and understand your personal agency in a rapidly changing world.

Together with change agents from a diverse range of sectors, you'll be given permission to bring the most authentic version of yourself to whatever your current project is, to inspire others, and to effect real change within your spheres of influence. You will not find the usual tools and trappings of leadership courses on The Nature of Leadership. Instead, you’ll find a container of ideas and practices rooted in experiential learning.

Inside the Eden Project's Rainforest Biome

This is a classroom, where we can explore what a great future looks like.

Eden Project Biomes and Core Building roof

Join us for four days in an environment of huge-scale, jaw-dropping beauty.

a view of the seed sculpture which is egg shaped with raised dots

We'll draw inspiration from the Eden site, where concepts like biomimicry come to life.

People walking along a path in the Rainforest Biome

Take time out with us, surrounded by inspiring people and environments.

Together, we'll explore how principles found in nature can help us shape our business ecosystems.

HotHouse participants in a field with a round tent

And there are absolutely no boardrooms; we promise a truly immersive experience.

Sarah Cook, Head of Tea, Pukka Herbs

“Life changing, transformational and utterly inspiring.”

Who the Nature of Leadership is for

The Nature of Leadership is designed for emerging and developing leaders from across the public, private, and third sectors or anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding about their place in the world. The programme is for those impassioned to explore the emotional and moral landscape, to develop new leadership models, to engage in problem solving of some of the most critical and complex challenges of our time, to lead communities of people to effect positive change, and for those who strive to thrive in volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity.

Our alumni include people in leadership roles ranging from marketing, procurement and fundraising departments right through to CEOs in organisations as diverse as law firm Foot Anstey to herbal tea specialists Pukka.

We deliberately work with a variety of sectors, because we believe it’s important for you to meet unexpected people, hear fantastic stories, and share experiences and ideas together.

Nature of Leadership participant

“[A] really thought-provoking and fascinating way to evaluate both personal and professional journeys through leadership. Something I will definitely keep with me forever.”

Why Eden Project?

Eden is a fantastic place in which to learn and no boardroom could ever compete! You’ll be immersed in the natural world from which you can draw inspiration, take a pause from your hectic life, and explore what a great future might look like. The site was built in one of the most degraded landscapes imaginable – a disused china clay pit – thus is a symbol of transformation and a demonstration of what’s possible when a bunch of dreamers, optimists and pragmatists work together. People rarely come away from Eden without a little bit of this spirit in their veins!

Alice Kershaw, Heritage Lottery Fund

“Brilliant facilitators who held the space and enabled the week to work its magic. A joyous and well considered and paced journey which takes you both out and in.”

How to join us

The dates for our next programmes are:

27-31 March 2023
25-29 September 2023

We run our leadership programmes throughout the year, and will share future dates for our courses soon.

The cost is £1,950 plus VAT for individual participants*, which includes the full programme, accommodation and food.

Inspired to join us and unleash your creativity? To let us know or to find out more about the scheduled and the bespoke programmes:

call us on 01726 818553
get in touch with the team via our online enquiry form

You can also follow the HotHouse team on Twitter and LinkedIn, or sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page.

Practical information

We’ve made a few changes to the way we run our creative leadership programmes, so that we still enable you to experience the intimacy and atmosphere of your stay experience, while creating a COVID-secure environment. For example, we are running the programmes in smaller groups, much of the programme is spent outdoors (weather dependent), we’re spending our indoor time together in more spacious, well-ventilated learning spaces, we’re following new one-way routes around the Eden Project site, and we’re timing your entry into the Biomes to minimise contact with other visitors. Do get in touch with us directly if you have any specific concerns or questions.

During the programme you’ll be based at the inspirational Eden Project, in Cornwall, and we can guarantee that you’ll not be stuck in a boardroom! We’ll be making full use of the site, including the Biomes – to which you’ll have exclusive out-of-hours access – the Core education centre, the gardens and the wild outer estate.

For some sessions, we may also venture into the surrounding Cornish countryside… Be prepared for muddy walks, campfires and stunning scenery.

*Please talk to us about a discount on our standard rate for self-employed, NHS, and charity employees.

Other HotHouse retreats

HotHouse: The Creative Edge of Change

A creative, nature-based retreat inspiring leaders to respond to the challenges of our time.

HotHouse: Women's leadership retreat

Go on a journey to become a more authentic and effective leader and change-agent.

View of group of people through the trees in woodland

HotHouse: Nature’s Language and the Art of Deep Listening

Apply nature’s lessons of bird language and deep listening for regenerative mindsets and responsible businesses.

HotHouse: Nature of Leadership programme

An invite from Tim Smit to join Eden Project's creative leadership course

About the programme

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